Care Must Be Taken To Use That Extra Second Wisely

July 01, 1992|By DENIS HORGAN; Courant Columnist

And what did you do with the extra time? Get some chores done? Take a vacation? Read that novel you had put off for so long? For some reason beyond my comprehension, they tacked on another second last night. A leap second, they call it. It seems the world's clocks fall a second out of sync every generation or so and, accordingly, they need to squeeze in another tick or tock. It has something to do with mathematics so I do not understand it, but at 7:59:59 we got a whole extra second to play with.

The way this year has been going, who wants another second of 1992?

Another second of debate over abortion? An instant more of the eye-gouging and acid-splash of that terrible process -- its reality and brutal discussion, both? No thanks. Does this mean that we have another second of politics too? Even a twinkle of additional character assassination, cruel tampering with peoples' emotions in the name of getting a job, the roughing up of someone's good name, the distorting of records, the ice pick in the back by paid thugs who stand for nothing beyond the ability to do that with flair? More of that? Groan.

So we have an extra second. One more moment of Croats and Serbs killing each other, South African massacres, racial and ethnic tensions at every turn. Is this a good idea? Do we need more?

More of hard economic times which find our friends turned out into the dismal streets through no doing of their own, careers and dreams shattered by the lifeless numbers of a bottom line not being satisfactory to a computer's analysis. Of stress and anxiety mounting over bills which only grow -- faster even than a leap year or leap second extend the calendar or timepiece.

Another chunk of time to expend in sorrow at illnesses which pile upon us with no respect whatever for our other hopes or plans. Another instant, however fleeting, of concern for those in such deep trouble trying to hold families together in a world where the old strengths unravel and no new ones appear to make it better.

Even another second of that? Another click of worry about a society that doesn't seem to care enough that so many of its members must endure intolerance or slight because of their religion, their skin, their physical abilities, their social or

personal inclinations?

It's such a hard old world that it can seem too much to ask that even a little second's additional span should be added to observe and undergo the grim process, there being too much already.

But there's more than that too.

Maybe the extra second could be dedicated to appreciating the wondrous spirit that honors us against all the odds, in the face of all the challenges.

Another second to consider the great caring that our neighbors demonstrate for friends and strangers alike when things get tough, the sympathy and support that springs so naturally as a helping hand is easily and often extended, the miracle cure of an honest hug to someone who needs one when the troubles mount.

I'll take all the seconds they can manufacture to consider the contribution of those sturdy souls who tend to us when we are ill, who stand between us and the violent members of society, who rush into our burning homes to haul us to safety. Are there seconds enough in all of the universe to accommodate the nice thoughts we should apply to those who teach our children, who keep them safe, who divert and amuse them, guiding them toward an uncertain future, preparing them for it at the same moment?

Another second to thank those who put aside their own comforts to help others. Good. Stop the clock so we can have even a bit more time to reflect on the dedication of those who care enough to work with those overwhelmed by circumstances out of their control, challenges that would stun even those at the height of their strength. There are people there for that -- people who earn little, who are abused much -- and there seems never to be a deficit of them, only of support for their efforts. Maybe if we had more time -- even a second -- we could apply it to doing that. They deserve it.

I want not a second more of the Boston Red Sox, but could use a bushel basket of seconds to appreciate more fully the joy there is out there, the strength, the faith and selflessness. And if they could adjust the clocks for that, that would be just fine